Chronobiology internationalOct 30, 2025

Two-way genetic links between natural sleep timing and shift work

Circadian Biology Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Jan 20, 2026

Abstract

A significant inverse causal effect was identified for intermittent shift work influencing morning chronotype (IVW: β = -0.0032).

Intermittent shift work may influence genetic preferences for morningness.
Genetic predisposition toward morningness is associated with regular shift work, but this relationship was statistically non-significant.
The study suggests a bidirectional interaction between shift work and chronotype.
Circadian disruption and melatonin dysregulation could be involved in these interactions.
Further research is needed to confirm these genetic interactions in different populations.

Simplified

Shift work, particularly night shifts, disrupts circadian rhythms and contributes to various adverse health outcomes. However, the degree of individual adaptability varies considerably, suggesting complex interactions between genetic factors, such as chronotype, and shift work exposure. To explore these interactions, we conducted a bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis using genome-wide association study (GWAS) data from European populations. We examined causal associations between chronotype and shift work patterns (limited, intermittent, regular). A significant inverse causal effect was identified for intermittent shift work influencing morning chronotype (IVW: β =-0.0032, SE = 0.0013, = 0.0114; weighted median: β = -0.0041, SE = 0.0018, = 0.0213). This suggests that intermittent shift work may impact circadian preferences genetically linked to chronotype. Conversely, genetic predisposition toward morningness exhibited a notable but statistically non-significant inverse relationship with regular shift work. Our findings highlight that shift work and chronotype interact bidirectionally, potentially via circadian disruption and melatonin dysregulation. These insights could inform targeted health protection strategies for shift workers. Further studies should confirm these genetic interactions across diverse populations and clarify the underlying chronobiological mechanisms to enhance occupational health policies. p p

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Two-way genetic links between natural sleep timing and shift work

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